Sentinel photo by SAMUEL BAUMGARDNER
Mifflin County’s Conner Zimmerman lays out to stop a penalty kick from Palmyra’s Reuel Ryman on Wednesday evening at Mifflin County Middle School.

LEWISTOWN–The Mifflin County Huskies fell at home Wednesday afternoon, losing to the Palmyra Cougars 11-0, in a Mid-Penn Keystone matchup at Mifflin County Middle School.

Huskies coach Robert Lepley was still happy with the team despite the loss, looking at the silver lining in the outcome.

“I am proud of our kids for sticking around,” Lepley said. “In games like this it is about getting the younger kids the experience, building for the future. Our older players have done so much for the program, so you have to get the young kids the experience regardless of the score.”

The scoring started off fast for Palmyra when just 56 seconds into the game Reuel Ryman got the Cougars on the board. The offensive barrage dragged on as Palmyra continued to get in behind Husky defenders, pushing the pace early and often.

A few minutes after the first goal, the Cougars scored yet again, this time it was freshman Scott O’Donnell who finished the game with a hat-trick, scoring a goal on all three shots he took in the game.

The highlight of the game for the Huskies came when Senior Goalkeeper Conner Zimmerman made an incredible diving save on a Cougars penalty kick late in the first half. Zimmerman finished the night with 12 saves.

Trailing 6-0 at the half, the Huskies tried to slow the game down to start the second half, but Palmyra’s potent attack again proved to be more than they could handle. The Cougars scored five more goals in the second half and went on to win the game handily, 11-0.

“We try to go out and accomplish one small goal per game,” Lepley said. “The team right now — we are beaten and we are battered — mainly our kids do not quit and they will keep on going, we are going to finish the season strong and on a positive note.”

Palmyra 11, Mifflin County 0

P 6 5 –11

MC 0 0 –0

First half

P–Reuel Ryman 39:04, Scott O’Donnell 23:21, Andrew Bauer 22:35, Aiden Mark 16:17, Kasen Bixler 7:09, Alex Stake 3:09

MC–N/A

Second Half

P–Scott O’Donnell (Aiden Mark) 31:16, Kasen Bixler 29:35, Scott O’Donnell 27:37, Devin Richard 15:17, Owen Wasilefski 12:55

MC–N/A

Shots: 23-3, P. Corners:6-1, P. Saves: Emmanuel Rose 3, Conner Zimmerman 12.